Parliamentary questions

Electricity Grid

Neale Richmond

176. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received any reports from the Commission of the Regulation of Utilities on electricity theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57470/22]

Electricity Grid

Neale Richmond

177. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received any reports from the Commission of the Regulation of Utilities on gas theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57471/22]

State Savings Schemes

Neale Richmond

243. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether Ireland should have an individual savings allowance system, including the stocks and shares individual savings allowance as is the case in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57937/22]

Departmental Priorities

Neale Richmond

244. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether it is appropriate that the capital gains tax allowance and capital gains tax in Ireland is vastly lower than that in Northern Ireland; if he will take steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57938/22]

Departmental Priorities

Neale Richmond

245. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the exit charges on investments are still necessary on investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57939/22]

Departmental Policies

Neale Richmond

26. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on her Department's work to reform Ireland's night-time economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56302/22]

Sport and Recreational Development

Neale Richmond

54. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures that her Department is taking to increase female participation in Irish sports at a local and professional level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56301/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

70. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged or will engage with childcare providers in Dublin on their concerns about the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56369/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

76. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents who use childminders will be able to benefit from the reduction in childcare fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56370/22]

Rental Sector

Neale Richmond

156. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if landlords who are exempt from registering with the RTB due to falling under the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Acts of 1982 and 1983 will be able to avail of the tax incentive for retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57100/22]

School Admissions

Neale Richmond

216. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is reducing its class numbers for junior infants for 2023, causing many families to miss out on spaces for their child; if she will engage with the school on its application for temporary accommodation which would allow for a third junior infants class and would accommodate parents currently going without a school place for the upcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57193/22]

Environmental Policy

Neale Richmond

63. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider introducing legislation to require solar panels built in car parks over a certain size, as has been done to increase solar panel usage in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56890/22]

State Examinations

Neale Richmond

106. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education her views on whether the Irish curriculum and Junior and Leaving Certificate level is fit for purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56858/22]

State Examinations

Neale Richmond

107. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education her views on whether there should be a full Irish oral examination for Junior Certificate students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56859/22]

State Examinations

Neale Richmond

108. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if the Irish curriculum will be updated to allow students to have a better level of Irish speech when leaving school including oral and written levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56860/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

211. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will include churches in any scheme to assist with lighting and heating costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56779/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

47. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with European Commissioner Vìra Jourová. [52964/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Neale Richmond

102. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions he has taken to deal with the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56293/22]

Fire Safety

Neale Richmond

277. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that a redress scheme for houses and apartments with fire defects will include all impacted apartments, be they owner occupied or tenant occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56378/22]

Electric Vehicles

Neale Richmond

32. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on progress in allowing electric vehicle charging points to be installed in apartment complexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55192/22]

Tax Yield

Neale Richmond

139. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on tax receipts and revenues to end-October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55874/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered providing a differentiation in benefit-in-kind rules for company cars for someone who receives a car as a work benefit versus someone who uses the car as a part of their job; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55873/22]

Business Supports

Neale Richmond

202. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the details of the temporary business energy support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52965/22]

Public Transport

Neale Richmond

24. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to ensure that the broader south Dublin area has sufficient access to public transport in light of increased building and population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55849/22]

Energy Policy

Neale Richmond

25. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities on steps being taken to deter electricity and gas theft across Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55193/22]

Work Permits

Neale Richmond

79. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is permissible for workers who are subject to work visas and permits, to be centrally contracted by recruitment agencies, and then subcontracted out to the sector to which their visas and permits cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54274/22]

Taxi Licences

Neale Richmond

205. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered allowing the transferring of taxi licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54921/22]

Cycling Facilities

Neale Richmond

207. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with Dublin Airport regarding the availability of cycling equipment and infrastructure in the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54933/22]

House Prices

Neale Richmond

270. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his views that non-EU property investors are having an adverse impact on Ireland's property market; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54628/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

293. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the benefit-in-kind for electric vehicles category A should be for cars with zero emissions, category B should be 1-59g/km and so on, in order to encourage more electric vehicles on the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55445/22]

Sport and Recreational Development

Neale Richmond

334. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has engaged with the IRFU on its work to encourage more female rugby players to turn professional. [54540/22]

Pension Provisions

Neale Richmond

648. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider expanding the criteria for the widow's pension to include couples who were co-habiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54513/22]

State Pensions

Neale Richmond

670. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider expanding access to the State pension for those on a Stamp D who have worked their entire career in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54908/22]

Education and Training Provision

Neale Richmond

1116. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered funding the counselling psychology doctorate programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54930/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

1215. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that new parents in Dublin 18 are still not being offered public health nurse developmental checks for their new children, despite this service being offered to new parents in other areas of Dublin; if he is taking steps to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55453/22]

Medicinal Products

Neale Richmond

1233. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will allow access to the Ozempic weight loss drug for those on the drugs payment scheme without a diagnosis of diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55558/22]

Trade Data

Neale Richmond

15. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on post-Brexit trading patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53738/22]

Work Permits

Neale Richmond

65. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the efforts to make it easier for employers to access work permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52966/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Neale Richmond

127. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on her efforts to support remote working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52968/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

17. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting of the EU Council in Prague. [51381/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

18. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine in Prague. [51382/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

19. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting of the European Political Community in Prague. [51383/22]

Agriculture Industry

Neale Richmond

73. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the way that the Russian war in Ukraine has impacted the Irish agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52961/22]

Brexit Issues

Neale Richmond

101. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the destination of Irish agri-food exports post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52960/22]

Mental Health Policy

Neale Richmond

683. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the rising incidence of perinatal mental illness in Ireland; the steps that he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53417/22]

Mental Health Services

Neale Richmond

684. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there are adequate mental health supports for those experiencing perinatal mental health illness in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53418/22]

Mental Health Policy

Neale Richmond

685. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will outline an updated plan to tackle the incidence of perinatal mental health illness in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53419/22]

Medicinal Products

Neale Richmond

688. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to Ireland's proportionate spend on medicines which is decreasing in relation to other countries; if a process is in place to monitor same; if he will take steps to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53434/22]

Medicinal Products

Neale Richmond

689. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent treating patients abroad via the treatment abroad scheme with CART since 2019; the number of medicines for CART that were being assessed during this window; if consideration has been given to the way to increase the efficiency of this approvals process in view of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53435/22]

Forestry Sector

Neale Richmond

747. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether European Union rules on afforestation are impacting Ireland’s ability to plant trees and meet its climate obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52923/22]

Crime Prevention

Neale Richmond

27. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the status of Operation Citizen and high-visibility policing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51375/22]

Antisocial Behaviour

Neale Richmond

69. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if Operation Tombola will run prior to Halloween 2022; the way in which her Department plans to tackle anti-social behaviour in the run-up to Halloween; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51371/22]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Neale Richmond

118. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on when publicly funded IVF services will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51384/22]

General Practitioner Services

Neale Richmond

130. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure there is sufficient GP capacity in light of the free GP care provided in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51385/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

27. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager. [49694/22]

Cabinet Committees

Neale Richmond

19. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit will next meet. [49696/22]

Third Level Fees

Neale Richmond

130. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to further reduce student contributions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51363/22]

Budget 2023

Neale Richmond

137. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports he has provided in Budget 2023 to help with the costs of going to college both in terms of fees and grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51362/22]

Departmental Data

Neale Richmond

766. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the figures for occupancy and waiting lists for a palliative care bed at a hospital (details supplied) in 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51507/22]

Pension Provisions

Neale Richmond

15. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the auto-enrolment workplace pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49690/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Neale Richmond

74. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost-of-living supports her Department announced in budget 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49689/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

100. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the engagement he has had with childcare providers in Dublin regarding core funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49692/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

151. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents who avail of childcare through a childminder can expect to avail of the reduction in childcare fees announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49691/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

189. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Go-Ahead Ireland regarding its consistently late buses and buses not turning up, especially on the 17 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50787/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

194. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 114 bus route operated by a company (details supplied) is often very late or does not show up leading to jobs being put at risk due to the lateness of commuters; if he will engage with Dublin Bus in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50814/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

244. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education her views on whether Covid-19 signage in schools should be removed as there are no Covid-19 safety measures in place in Ireland at this time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50749/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

39. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the 17, 116 and 175 Dublin Bus routes not operating at full capacity, and as such are unable to deal with the numbers of passengers (details supplied); if he will engage with Dublin Bus on this; the further steps that he will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50550/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

40. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the 75 and 75A bus routes causing significant issues in the Stillorgan area (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to this delay causing people’s employment to be put in jeopardy; if he is taking steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50711/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

48. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the benefit-in-kind tax on company car increase is hindering those for whom travelling across the country for work is a crucial part of their employment; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that for those travelling long distances each day electric vehicles are not always an option; if he will take steps to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50704/22]

Health Services Staff

Neale Richmond

156. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he is taking steps to pay those undertaking work placements to become a social worker for their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50683/22]

Health Services Staff

Neale Richmond

171. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of radiation therapists in Ireland; the steps that he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50495/22]

Health Services Staff

Neale Richmond

172. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will conduct an independent review of radiation therapy to tackle issues of recruitment and retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50496/22]

Cabinet Committees

Neale Richmond

39. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Brexit will meet next; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48331/22]

School Curriculum

Neale Richmond

57. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the leaving certificate reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49684/22]

Schools Building Projects

Neale Richmond

124. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the provision of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49685/22]

Taxi Licences

Neale Richmond

224. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered allowing taxi drivers to transfer their taxi licence to another driver who is licensed but who does not hold a taxi licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49576/22]

Sports Organisations

Neale Richmond

302. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to an organisation (details supplied) that has lifted its ban on Russian and Belarussian athletes competing; if its Irish equivalent has a stance on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50285/22]

Health Services Staff

Neale Richmond

663. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered funding trainee HSE child psychologists as is done for clinical psychologists and those on counselling doctorate courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49707/22]

Northern Ireland

Neale Richmond

33. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48883/22]

United Nations

Neale Richmond

51. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recent United Nations Security Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48884/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

79. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence the supports that his Department and the Defence Forces have given to the Ukrainian army since the onset of the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48886/22]

Departmental Budgets

Neale Richmond

88. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence the funding provided for the Defence Forces in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48885/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

166. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reducing the VAT rate on medication for domestic animals to 13.5% to match the rate for farm animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49367/22]

Health Services Staff

Neale Richmond

352. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to fund trainee HSE educational psychologists as is done for clinical psychologists and those on counselling doctorate courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49150/22]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Neale Richmond

13. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach the funding that has been allocated to the shared island unit of his Department in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48332/22]

School Staff

Neale Richmond

187. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she will address payroll issues in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48799/22]

Pension Provisions

Neale Richmond

211. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who chooses to stay in work upon reaching the age of 66 years can access their State pension under her new pension plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48716/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Neale Richmond

214. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that additional resources are in place to ensure social welfare recipients who are supplying new bank details to their social welfare office do not experience delays or lose a payment due to the payment details not being changed on-time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48750/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Neale Richmond

253. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects childminders to be added to the national childcare scheme and therefore those who avail of their services can benefit from the reduction in fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48712/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Neale Richmond

254. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will introduce alternative ways for those parents who utilise a childminder to avail of the reduction in childcare fees announced in Budget 2023 while parents wait for childminders to be added to the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48713/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

17. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his conversation with the new British Prime Minister. [44783/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

23. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the European Union Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Mr. Maroš Šefčovič. [44784/22]

Budget 2023

Neale Richmond

91. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the cost-of-living supports announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48325/22]

Budget 2023

Neale Richmond

118. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the package of supports for community and voluntary organisations and sports clubs announced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48326/22]

Electricity Generation

Neale Richmond

155. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether if incentives were to be introduced for microgeneration of electricity, more microgeneration would be encouraged and emissions and fossil fuel dependency would reduce; if he will consider this course of action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47971/22]

Vacant Properties

Neale Richmond

265. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the vacant property refurbishment grant will be extended to the local authorities in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47954/22]

Third Level Costs

Neale Richmond

524. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if PhD students who receive their funding from the university itself will receive the €500 stipend increase announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48620/22]

Wildlife Protection

Neale Richmond

752. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of deer in the Dublin 18 area; if his attention has been further drawn to the risk that they are causing in relation to traffic accidents and incidents in gardens and homes; if he will take steps to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48110/22]

Sport and Recreational Development

Neale Richmond

9. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to promote female involvement in sports from a young age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47505/22]

Sports Funding

Neale Richmond

41. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for the future sports capital grants programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47506/22]